After a two year gap, where the actress briefly returned in 2011, she'll dramatically return to reprise her most famous role full-time as Sonia Fowler in the New Year.

Natalie, who has played Sonia off-and-on for a total of 14 years, will be returning for a gripping storyline in January which centres around the women of the Butcher household.

The 30-year-old commented: “After seven years being out of the show, apart from the odd episode, I am extremely excited and honoured to be making a full-time return. I feel so lucky as an actress to get back to my roots. With Dominic as Executive Producer – it’s such an exciting time for the show. I cannot wait to work with Patsy and Lindsey again. Bring it on!”

Sonia is not returning alone, she will be accompanied by her daughter Rebecca.

EastEnders fans will of course remember when Sonia gave birth to (now 13-year-old) Rebecca on the living room floor when she didn’t even know she was expecting.

Sonia decided to put the baby up for adoption but when Martin, the father of her child, knocked down and killed her beloved Jamie. Both her and and Martin then fell in love, regained custody of Rebecca and after a rocky relationship the couple moved to Manchester.

Sonia Fowler when she briefly returned in 2010

Sonia returned in 2010 to tell her mother Carol Jackson that her marriage was on the rocks. Then in 2011 she came back to Walford to reveal she had split from Martin and was living in Essex.

It was recently confirmed that tough guy Danny Dyer, 36, will also joining the soap and stated: “I'm so excited about starting a new chapter in my career and I cannot wait to become part of the East End family.”

Natalie Cassidy’s first appearance in EastEnders was on 21 December 1993 and her last appearance was on 21 January 2011.